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Saturday, August 15, 2009

Inspiration is all around us, everywhere we go, everywhere we look, the trick is opening your eyes and your mind to see it all, embrace it, and enjoy.

Here are a few things in my travels that I took photographs of, whether for the beauty, the texture, the color, the history, the meaning….or, ok, maybe because I enjoyed the moment and wanted to capture it. All in their unique way, they were inspiring to me, for reasons maybe understood, and for other’s maybe not a clue :)

I could have stared at this guy all day, one of a pair, he was was simply breathtaking. These bronze lions stand guard on Michigan Avenue at the Chicago Art Institute by animal sculptor Edward Kerneys and unveiled in May of 1894. A an amazing glass bottle for wine (or some sort of booze) displayed at the Chicago Art Institute at the exhibit: A Case for Wine: From King Tut to Today

A lonely dangling leaf on a path during a glorious walk through Seashore State Park in Virginia Beach.

While driving around the Eastern Shore of Virginia in and around the back roads of Cape Charles, I was struck (as was my sister who was with me at the time and “gets” the I gotta take a picture of odd things moment) by this run down house. The old place had so much character, and the stories those walls must hold that they could share must truly be a treat to hear. There was a gentle breeze blowing the curtain in the wind as if it wanted to fly away. It truly was an amazing sight to behold.

One of my favorite places to visit is my Mom’s farm located in Lovingston Virginia in Nelson County. It is one of the most beautiful relaxing places to be, and of course always a treat to spend time with the family.

No words necessary for this last one. Whenever I see the sight of the American flag (especially when the soft light of the setting sun sets it a glow) and how much it represents. Our country, our freedom, and how truly blessed we all are, I admit I get emotional. God Bless America!!

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Southern Progress’ parent company, Time Inc., announced Thursday, August 6, 2009 that it will close the Birmingham publisher’s Southern Accents magazine.

Southern Accents, a luxury southern lifestyle title has been around for 32 years featuring homes and gardens, entertaining, travel, arts and antiques. They will be sorely missed.

The magazine published six times a year and had a circulation of around 400,000.

Southern Accents’ closure follows a line of other Southern Progress products to close in the last year as the publisher struggles with lower advertising revenue and sales.

Sadly other magazines such as Domino, Cottage Living, Country Home and O at Home have folded since November 2007, when Condé Nast shocked many in the industry by shuttering another of its home magazines, the 106-year-old House & Garden

SouthernAccents.com will continue to operate. Not quite the same…….but is at least something.

Let us hope that there will be no more upsets and that all the other home magazines prosper so they may continue to bring their readers enjoyment with each issue.

Which is your favorite home magazine that you would be disheartened to see no longer published?